The Ruy Lopez, move by move
Also called the Spanish. White puts pressure on the knight that defends e5 and plays for a long squeeze. You play White. Opening code C84.
- 1. e4 Takes the centre and frees the bishop and queen.
- 1… e5 Black meets the centre pawn with one of their own.
- 2. Nf3 Develops and attacks e5.
- 2… Nc6 Defends e5 with a developing move.
- 3. Bb5 Attacks the knight that defends e5. It isn't a threat yet, but it builds pressure.
- 3… a6 The Morphy Defence: Black asks the bishop what it wants to do.
- 4. Ba4 White keeps the bishop and the pin-like pressure instead of trading it.
- 4… Nf6 Develops and hits e4.
- 5. O-O White castles and lets e4 hang for a moment: taking it opens the e-file toward Black's king.
- 5… Be7 Black calmly prepares to castle.
- 6. Re1 The rook guards e4 now that the king is safe.
- 6… b5 Pushes the bishop away so the pressure on c6 ends.
- 7. Bb3 The bishop moves to a fine diagonal, still looking at f7.
- 7… d6 Supports e5 and frees the c8 bishop.
- 8. c3 Gives the bishop a retreat square on c2 and prepares d4.
- 8… O-O Black castles. This is the Closed Ruy Lopez, one of the deepest openings in chess.
The plan from here
Keep the tension, play c3 and d4 to take the centre, and reroute the queen's knight to the kingside.